PANAJI: The Commission for Protection of Child Rights has decided to prepare a ready reckoner with all information related to children, in preparation for the third wave of the pandemic.
At its first meeting held recently, the commission decided that it was necessary to compile data to help guide parents.
“We are compiling data of all paediatric facilities, paediatricians, child psychologists, child psychiatrists, child care institutions, anganwadi workers and child development project officers,” chairperson Peter Borges said.
Details of all NGOs working for children, including those with disabilities, will be part of the database.
The commission is also assessing paediatric infrastructure in the state.
“We assume people will be looking out for all child-related facilities and specialists during the third wave and we don’t want people to panic, which is why we are preparing a PDF document that we can share,” Borges said.
The commission has already sought information on children who have tested positive, were hospitalised or passed away during the first two waves to be in a better position to tackle the next wave.
It has also sought information from the government on parents who succumbed to Covid leaving behind young children.
At its first meeting, the commission also took cognisance of the non-establishment of the Juvenile Justice Fund under Section 105 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, State Children’s Fund under Goa Children’s Act, 2004, and non implementation of the Sponsorship Scheme under Integrated Child Protection Scheme.
In a letter to the government, the commission has asked for the immediate creation of the Juvenile Justice Fund for the welfare and rehabilitation of children under the act and State Children’s Fund so that emergency needs of children due to Covid-19 vulnerabilities may be prioritised and addressed.
It also asked for the immediate notification of the sponsorship scheme under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme.